The turn deadline is Friday evening. I try to get the turns out before
Monday morning. Don't panic if you don't have your turn on Sunday afternoon.
If it's Monday and I still haven't run the turn, then it's okay to panic.

What do I do during this time? Sit around drinking beer, saying "Gee, I
guess I should really run the Olympia turn..." No! (Well, not usually,
anyway :-). I'm doing test runs of the turn, making sure that all of the
new features work, fixing bugs, and throwing in last-minute additions.

Changes:

ASSIST requires that the helping units have at least level 1 in
the area that they are assisting. For example, workers assisting
a shipbuilder must have at least level 1 shipbuilding.

Entertainment skill has been tuned somewhat. Demand for
entertainers is greatest in regions which haven't seen any
good performances in a while. Many entertainers working the
same region month after month will competing for a diminishing
audience.

Guild elections next turn! SET 0 PROXY to vote!

ENEMIES OF THE FORCES OF LAW (v. 3)

Beware these clowns. A threat to civilization they are. Watch thy backs.
The peaceful people of this world must unite if we are to survive.

A WORD OF CAUTION: There are others among thee who have also killed.
These are but known criminals.

A WORD TO THE UNDERWORLD: Is this all that thou canst do? Surely more
among thee can do better, and make thyselves known on this
glorious list. Tell us, Zyzak, the number thou hast really killed.
Ye mayst have already surpassed The Black Company...

The Riddlecorner!
=================

The answer to last weeks riddle:

I can hit you in the eye,
Yet twinkle in the sky,
Expanding when I die,
What do you think am I?

is: a Star!

Now this weeks riddle is:

Two legs sat upon three legs with one leg in his lap.
In comes four legs, grabs one leg, and runs off with him.
Up jumps two legs, grabs up three legs, throws it after four legs,
and makes him bring back one leg.

What are all the legs about?
(This one's not too hard)

The answer in the next edition of the glorious, free ditributed OLYMPIA TIMES!

This week, I saw a couple of interesting riddles and I guess it was more or less
my duty to answer them.

The answer that was blowing in the wind is, to my opinion the answer our arch-
mage is seeking to all his questions about the arcane arts of magic.
It's a petty he hasn't got the 'catch-an-answer-in-the-wind'-spell yet.

Secondly there was this fiddler, worrying about his gold, but he sure got
25 golden heads and tails for his submission.

How about that extra bathroom that your mate has been bugging you to get?

Does your castle need more manual laborers?

Do you need a personal guard so much that you will train them?

HIRE US! WE HAVE NO SKILLS WHATSOEVER BUT THAT HAS NEVER STOPPED US!

Labor Force [1462]
Tell us where to go and we will be there ready for work.

PS: We carry no money.

Gertan once again opens the times to the riddle section.
"Hmm," he says, "I know the answers to these. The first
is 'a star', the second is 'The answer my friend', and the
final one is 'a gold coin'. Well, off to explore!"

Roving Reporter's Column
========================

Death breeds again !
====================

Once again, the obituraries are full of the tale of callous slaughter.
Although it is possible that only a couple of them were civilized persons,
it is still a deplorable state of affairs when our daily life is overrun
with such calamities !

Zyzak, trying for the title of the greatest murderer in Olympia, captured
several people and immediately slaughtered them, for fun and profit !
Wandering Willy and the Drassan Mining Expedition are still unknown
quantities but they should be treated carefully until their true natures
are revealed. Admittedly, the death of a savage is less worrying, but who
was Inos ? A civilized person, or some crazed creature of the wilds ?

Also, as Zyzak has recently arrived in Drassa with 271 armed and fanatical
followers, it is expected that this month the streets will run red with the
blood of the innocent ! Is nowhere safe from this cold-blooded butcher ?
Can no-one stop his depraved attacks ?
Indeed, it may well be that Zyzak will be in a position to depopulate the
entire region with his current army. There is certainly no individual in
Drassa capable of summoning a comparable army.

Those who live in this fair city must indeed be praying that their sherriff
arrive in time to rescue them from this callous slaughter of which Zyzak is
so fond !

It has also come to my recent attention that several new arrivals have
reached our shore. Welcome to the new travellers in Olympia !!

TOP TEN REASONS WHY WE JOINED THE ANTI-PAIN ALLIANCE

10) He's practicing medicine without a license.
9) Pain and Despair sound more like a WWWF tag-team than fantasy pbem
characters.
8) With Dr. Pain out of the way, it'll be easier for US to persuade the
Black Company and terrorize innocent newbies.
7) Donald Trump had some towers and a castle too, and look what happened
to him.
6) Anyone who can't come up with a more imaginative name for their
character than "John Smith" deserves to be pole-axed.
5) Takes care of the complaint of there not being enough quests in
Olympia.
4) We heard Chardia has the best babes in Olympia and Pain won't share.
3) The prose in "The Chronicles of Pain" is purpler than anything
Bulwer-Lytton ever wrote.
2) More fun than a party pinata! Just poke him and watch the gold pour
out!

And the number one reason why we joined the anti-Pain alliance....

1) With all the color-based companies of men he's been forming, it's
only a matter of time before he degenerates to the Teal, Fuschia, and
Ochre Companies.

-The Brothers Hecatoncheires

Greetings to the butchers, fighters and killers of Olympia !

Do you want to know who is the biggest, toughest, meanest murderer in
the whole world ? Why not find out !

JOIN THE ARENA TODAY !!

The arena is a new challenge for all comers ! Send in your best and
toughest fighter.
WINNER TAKE ALL !!!

Rules
=====
1) Each entrant must be an individual, but may be a player character or
faction.
2) Each entrant pays 50 gold to Kaspar [581] who will manage and
control the competition. The winner of the competition wins ALL the
entry money. (10 entrants = 500 gold, 20 entrants = 1000 gold !!)
3) Any skills are allowed, at any level. Any weapons and/or armour is
allowed.
4) Set your entrant to flee at any level you like.
5) All who pay their entry fee in advance will be rostered to fight
other entrants, with elimination rounds occurring each month until
the GREATEST fighter in Olympia is found.
6) A fighter is considered eliminated when he is either killed or flees
from the combat.
7) Anyone cheating will be immediately killed/captured by Kaspar and
allies in Drassa.
8) The competition will be held in Drassa, and entries may start
immediately. The first eliminations will start (if enough entrants
show up) in Fall, month 6 (Harvest). That allows 6 more months for
entrants to prepare, train and arrive in Drassa !

If there is enough support, this will become a regular feature, with up to
128 entrants competing each year (maximum for knock-out eliminations in 8
months).

The mage looked up from his tome to find the leutenant of his troop
standing in his room, waiting to be recognized. What a bother, so much arcane
lore to learn and so little time and my men apparently can't seem to visit
the outhouse without a signed ok from me. I hate bureaucracies!
Having caught his patron's attention the leutenant speaks, "My lord,
the men are training well; however, they need to be better equipped. I have
made this request of you several times in the past at which times you've
assured me that the men will be provided for; however, I am here yet again
with the same request."
"Alright, I'll handle it. You know this should all be handled through
proper channels. You should issue your request to the proper department, and
they will notify the accounting office which will then issue a po... [Oops
wrong time and wrong game] Err, well, don't worry yourself further, I need
a bit of exercise out by the training yard to brush up on my tactics. We'll
meet this afternoon, tour the market, and purchase your supplies. What more
could you want?" the mage replied.
The leutenant looked at his lord with askance and much wearied
patience in his expression. "Of course, my lord. I will await your arrival.
Thank you for your time."
As the leutenant leaves he sees the mage delve back into his book and
mutters, "I'll be lucky if he remembers by next week." He heads off back
to the training grounds pondering whether he should "hire" one of the pretty
serving wenches to invite the Lord Erekosse on a picnic; at least, that would
be one way to get the lecherous coot out to the grounds.

The Log of Brillan Damar

Month One:

A small, foggy place this is. I had hoped that all the fog would
disappear once I had reached land but, alas, this was not to be.
Kircarth is a dirty place. Mayhap it is good that I can't see it
to well.

Many people came off the boat with me; most wide eyed, but a few
that carried an arrogant stance about them. I must be cautious of
them in the future. Many of them were boasting of being stronger
than a possibly mythical fellow known only as Dr. Pain. For their
sakes, I hope that he is indeed mythical.

I hired some guides to search out the countryside. We will need a
good starting point to establish our school, where many people pass
by. It's obvious by looking at this place that Kircarth would not
be a good choice. A dark tower stands boldy above us all, and the
residents do not seem to want to talk of it much. Mayhap I'll take
a visit there, once I buy adequate protection in case there's any
trouble.

A well armed and large group of troops entered the small town of
Drassa and the small citizens panicked! Instantly the streets were
deserted of people. The only people on the streets were lackeys in the
employ of the various power factions of Drassa. Zyzak the Slaughterer
has entered the lands of Drassa.

These weary battle-hardened troops entered the port city with a solemn
silence. That they even dared enter the city showed a peculiar kind of
arrogance and gall that spoke against Zyzak's sanity. Killing worthless
newbies is one thing, but to the heart of Drassa!

The powers of Drassa's face hardened and unified. Zyzak will not win in
this city. Their faces hardened. Their mouthes were grim as they began to
prepare to repel this invasion by the outlaw bandits.

The Starlight Courier agency manager looked around in surprise. He
shouted a few expletives and looked around. Damn. This will be bad for
business, he noted. Zyzak prolly wants his latest shipment. Unfortunately,
the only combat group he had on hand in Drassa were a bunch of archers
and archers haven't been coded in yet. But when they are, they'll be
pretty powerful defensive unit to be reconned with!

John Smith [823] -- Present in Chardia during Dr. Pain massacre but
was not attacked; listed as ally by Dr. Pain; killed unit that killed
player 830 and others in Chardia; killed 2 other units in Camaris on
turn 20. Units owned: 1317 1494? 1935 1972?

Sadness [853] -- Listed as ally by Dr. Pain; killed once in Chardia
while studying at guild towers, so must have had Dr. Pain's
permission. Units owned: 1880

Maidez de la Montt [868] -- formed unit Men in Black [1918] that
attacked Longshot in Pesbrand turn 21. On turn 22, Men in Black formed
Captain Marhalt [1991], who then formed [1998], [2007], and [2012], and
tried to kill 4 players but failed every time. Men in Black was
captured but the other units escaped. Units owned: 1991 1998 2007 2012

Sightings last turn:
====================

Maidez de la Montt [868] moved to Ilion on turn 21. 1991, 1998, 2007,
and 2012 left for Ilion from Pesbrand on day 23 of turn 22.

Dr. Pain ended the turn in West Habyn with a bunch of prisoners and 2
combat units totalling 30 men.

If you believe any information on this list is incorrect, please write
me. If you would like to contribute information, especially combat
reports and/or sighting reports, please write. Information is like a
breath of fresh air: it makes everyone's day happier.

(Afloat somewhere in the Ocean) -- Speaking at an informal news
conference, Oleg the Loudmouth, not one of the Dark Prophet's leading
generals, but still one of the Dark Profit's favorite d00ds, said that
sanity had not yet returned to Dr. Pain's skull.

Oleg refered in particular to the charge that Oleg had committed a
vile murder to obtain his ship. "Throwing stones, is he? Lives in a
crystal chandelier, sips Perrier from the skulls of murdered newbies,
and he condemns me for carrying on the great tradition of the beloved
Sherrif Of Drassa by re-killing entity 503? Why, he was already dead!
What do you think a GHOST is anyway? Sword cuts everywhere!
Practically fell to pieces when I looked at him cross-eyed!"

Continuing with his tirade, Oleg stated that "Dr. Pain's claim that I
was using the Dark Nation as a bogeyman to scare newly-arrived
immigrants is true. That's because he's killing them left and right!
Fortunately, even a brain as small as LamePain's can comprehend this
sort of thing, although the concept of proper public relations seems
to escape him. Unfortunately, he's so lame that he won't even let me
collect on my own bounty (I could use the cash), and he also
point-blank refused to up my bounty to 10,000 gold! I mean, why should
I be a dissident if there's no money in it? This kind of crap is going
to cost him his Empire, just you wait! I gotta eat, you know! I
haven't had any food for 2 months. Do you have anything to eat? Even a
crust of bread... please?"

At this point a few men in white suits appeared to calm Oleg down, and
the news conference was ended.

Ya Yawm! Upon perusing the Times, we find ourselves vilified! Upon
examination, we discover that the slander is directed at tactical maneuver
made by ourselves on one who was no more new to this strange world than we.
Imagine, if you will, an entity who walks the dangerous regions
of this continent alone and unprotected. Is this not why the great God
Skrentah did implement combat? Consider the fact that we did defeat this
hapless soul with our bare hands (which are no longer bare). Should a sense
of pity restrain our hands from plucking the fruit from the tree? If we
knew of a way to fornicate we would claim to be performing a public service
by removing this beast from the gene pool.
This defense, however, is unnecessary. Consider the dreaded Hakim
who is famous for wandering these regions and divesting others of their cash.
Would you rather that the gold that this poor weakling previously held
remain where it can (and will) be so easily added to the war chests of this
gentleman? Or would you rather have it relocated in more competent hands?
Ah, we see that you are not convinced. We see no choice but to
relinquish our ways and take up a career of knitting. We will petition the
g. G. Skrentah to remove the ability to scuffle from our sinful hands and
hearts.

So, the Captain had failed. Well, she thought, you just can't get good help
these days. Signalling to her archers, the small company headed back towards
the busy city....

A black and white banner -- Per pale Argent and Sable an Owl
displayed countercharged. It blew gently in the mild breeze blowing
across the plains outside of Pesbrand visible for a moment in the
dense fog covering the province.
"When will this fog clear?" Varian asked as he looked at his
captives. The Men in Black he had recently captured struggled in
their bindings. They would not be escaping. "Should I pay them
to switch allegences?" Varian asked himself. He rubbed his chin,
thinking about it.
"I hope the fog lifts soon," one of his passing soldiers commented.
"I didn't much enjoy burying the poor lads that died. And it was a
shame it was all a mistake."
"Mistakes can happen in the fog," Varian replied. "I have been
talking with Renaldo to make sure a mistake such as this will not
happen again. Armies moving about in the fog..." Varian let his
sentence trail off. A bird cawwed in the distance.
"The lads from Caburh took it really badly. They took the brunt of
it," the soldier continued. "They are talking of roughing up the
lasses we captured but I think I've calmed 'em down."
"Good. When our 'visitors' have cooled down a little, we will
release them and their equipment." Varian turned and faced the
soldier. "It was a mistake. They thought they were attacking the Men
in Black. Had they been here first, we would have attacked them.
Bloody fog!"
"If it hadn't been for their bows...," the soldier said. He
thought of the four men in their group who had fallen.
"Yes, the bows. They fought bravely. I wish we could bring
them to Ilion but they are in no shape for that now." Another caw
echoed in the distance.
Nearby, buried in the fog, the Players played a dirge for their
slain companion and the others. Silence fell over the camp until they
were done. Varian clenched his fist. "Pain..." He hissed the word.
Another caw came from above. A crow appeared in a break in the
mist grasping something in its claws. It paused for a moment over
Varian and then... a rolled piece of paper dropped from its grasp at
Varian's feet.
Varian picked it up, removed the black ribbon tying it shut, and
opened it. He read for a moment and then looked up at the bird,
disappearing in the mist. "Pain...," he repeated.
"What is it, sir?" the soldier asked.
"A message from Dr. Pain, congratulating me on my victory."
"Congratulations? The Men in Black were under him, weren't they?"
"I am certain of that now. If we don't release them, he is
'honor-bound' to 'destroy' us to retrieve them." The strange friendly
yet threatening words in Pain's letter echoed in his mind.
"So, we're leaving, right?" the soldier shifted uneasily.
"No, first we hunt down one Captain Marhalt. Then we hunt down his
commander, Maidez de la Montt. I have word that he was seen in Ilion
not a month ago and Marhalt fled there with his cultist followers."
"Sir, isn't this asking for trouble?"
"So he comes after us. We retreat to Pesbrand and save Renaldo a
trip to Chardia."
"I hope you know what you're doing, sir."
"I do. If you would rather join the Dark Nation, Pain has offered
me entrance if I will pledge a unit of 5 men over to him and release
the Men in Black." Varian thumped his finger against the letter.
Think you could round up someone to replace the man you lost?"
"Uh...but..."
"Good, I didn't think so. Get the men ready. We leave for Ilion
first thing."

13... a mysterious number, but this is the number none-the-less that
have appeared. Will it hold, will it split. Is it divisible?

With His mastery of the art complete it was time to start
putting that weighty body of knowledge to work. Decisions
decisions. Well, with the arrival of Zyzak in Drassa it
appeared that things were hotting up in the northen continent
as well.

Sending His mind back into the past He recalled the first act
of magic in the world, when the Great Osswid summoned forth
a hoard of dragon warriors:

7: Dragon Warriors [6260] spring from the ground and stack with Tower
7: of Darkness [2101].

Yes, that was the next step. First Dragon warriors, the the
Dragon itself...

There was a cruel man in Habyn
Who delved in evil and sin
One day in a stack
He'll find a knive in his back
And his killer will be known to him

Death to Pain

Briareos wiped the sweat off his brow with a damp cloth. He
had won this training battle handily. Indeed, while honing his
technique while cloistered in the tower, his skills had improved by
leaps and bounds. The missive from the south was disturbing, he hated
to lose any of his men, but to lose them so wastefully...Well, soon
the marshes would allow passage again and he would be able to lead
the troops himself.

Guges, the wandering minstrel, contrary to last week's Times, is not
sailing off to parts unknown. He overslept and missed the departure of
the Wrath of Zeus. In the meantime, he'll continue edifying the
populaces of whatever town he passes through.

Who are these Brothers Hecatoncheires anyway? Any relation to
the Brothers Smith? The Brothers Wright? The Brothers Marx? The
Brothers Ritz? How about the Brothers Smothers? Inquiring minds want
to know!

The Merry Pranksters

Using his last ounce of strength, Number Six clambered to the
top of the hillock, hoping he had eluded the savages who had
persistantly dogged him through the woods. First the troll on the road
and now this! He stood up to survey the land from his lofty vantage
point...and immediately threw himself back into the underbrush as an
immense shadow passed overhead. It was the dreaded Bird of Death!

"Maybe I was better off back in the Village," thought Number
Six ruefully.

* * * The Dragaeran Trading Company Announces * * *

The Olympia turn checker!

It's new! It's improved! It's long-lasting!

This marvel of the mideval age reads in turn commands, checks
syntax, and prints out an english version of the commands for easy
checking. No longer will you buy 5 of 6 instead of 6 of 5. It also
does reasonability checks (ie. you can't buy Osswid, and you can't
terrorize a rug).

Next, Vax, Sparc, Decstation and Sun3 binaries are available from
shrimp.cs.washington.edu in pub/olympia. Don't be the last one in your
Cabal to own one!

I'm so glad to be able to write you again! When the messenger crystal
you gave me faded, I thought I'd never get to tell you all the exciting things
that have happened. Please extend all the courtesy of the court to my
messenger; he has traveled for many months to reach you. He is an excellent
sailor and servant, and he reminds me quite a bit of Reginald.
Those performers were an excellent investment, I don't care what Daddy
thinks of them! The people here in Drassa are so simple, they laugh at the
crudest Soralen jests. And they are quite free with their money, as well.
I've been keeping myself busy here, setting up a trading consortium. You can
tell Daddy about that part, I'm sure he'll be happy to hear of more markets
for the wine. I hope I can come home soon, I'd love to taste the first
vintages. Don't be too surprised if I just pop in.
You remember that ruffian I told you about, Rocko? Well, he
apparently has retired after he killed the wolves. Anyway, the fellow made
quite an impression on my retainers. They have set themselves up as
protectors of this squalid city. I must tell you, the place is becoming so
crowded now I hardly ever leave my tower.
I hope this missive finds you and Daddy well, and give my regards to
Elaine and Donald.